Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION

To align seamlessly with the Brittany Ferries sailing schedule, the tour itinerary below is based on departing Plymouth on a Wednesday afternoon and arriving back in the UK on a Tuesday 14 days later. The Plymouth to Santander route provides the ideal 24-hour crossing to match this itinerary. Alternative sailings—such as Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao—can be arranged upon request, though these involve a longer two-night passage on the outbound crossing.

Your Spanish journey begins the moment you roll off the ferry in Santander. Within short order, you will be enjoying the quiet, open roads of the Cantabrian Range before riding south across the historic plains of Castilla y León, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha, before climbing north into the Pyrenean high country.

Accommodation on this tour is exceptional, featuring three nights in historic Parador hotels. State-owned and established by King Alfonso XIII to showcase Spanish heritage, Parador hotels turn converted castles, monasteries, and palaces into luxurious accommodation, ensuring your evenings are as memorable as your days in the saddle.

While daily mileages are carefully balanced, the route covers a diverse range of terrain, including high mountain passes and technical twisties. It is ideally suited to experienced touring riders or competent first-timers who are accustomed to full days on the bike. Filled with incredible scenery, historic stopovers, and sublime riding roads, this tour offers an unforgettable self-guided adventure.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Plymouth to Santander (Ferry Crossing)

Your tour begins in Plymouth as you board the flagship of the Brittany Ferries fleet, the Pont-Aven. Featuring an à la carte restaurant, lounge bars, and an on-board cinema, it provides the perfect environment to relax and unwind as you sail overnight across the Bay of Biscay. Unless otherwise requested, we reserve a 4-berth en-suite cabin for two people sharing, or a 2-berth cabin for solo riders (upgrades to Outside, Club, or Deluxe cabins are available upon request).

Day 2: 130 miles

Your lunchtime arrival in Santander allows plenty of time to enjoy a fantastic opening leg. With the distant peaks of the Picos de Europa rising on the horizon, your route weaves past the limestone crags and deep valleys of the Cantabrian Range. Leaving the mountains behind, you emerge onto the open plains of Castilla y León, riding through quiet Spanish villages to your hotel—a beautifully restored former monastery situated along the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Day 3: 253 miles

Today offers a sweeping, open riding rhythm across the arid high landscapes that characterize central Spain. Crossing the La Yecla gorge and the pine forests of the Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park, you stop for an afternoon break in Segovia to admire its magnificent 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct. Continuing south-west, you reach the medieval walled city of Ávila. Encircled by almost two miles of remarkably preserved 11th-century stone ramparts, Ávila is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. Your hotel for the evening is a meticulously restored 16th-century noble palace situated right in the historic heart of the town.

Day 4: Ride or Rest Day (Optional Route: 130 miles)

Today is a ride or rest day in Ávila. You can take time off the bike to walk along the top of Ávila's historic city walls, explore its Romanesque cathedral and medieval alleys, or follow our suggested circular ride-out taking in the sweeping mountain passes and pine forests of the surrounding nature reserves.

Day 5: 160 miles

Taking to the road after breakfast, you carve through the mountain curves of the Valle de Iruelas Natural Park en route to the ancient city of Toledo. Known as the "City of the Three Cultures", Toledo preserves a rich artistic and architectural legacy shaped by centuries of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish history. Perched high on a hill overlooking the river loop and the city's iconic cathedral, your Parador hotel offers one of the most famous panoramic views in all of Spain.

Day 6: 156 miles

Leaving Toledo, the morning route crosses open plains before turning into the scenic, twisting mountain roads of the Serranía de Cuenca. Your destination is the historic walled town of Cuenca, famously dramatically perched on a steep limestone spur above the Huécar River gorge. Cuenca is celebrated worldwide for its Casas Colgadas ("Hanging Houses"), cantilevered precariously over the sheer cliff face. Set directly at the edge of the gorge, your Parador hotel is housed in a converted 16th-century monastery just a short walk across the footbridge to the old quarter.

Day 7: Ride or Rest Day (Optional Route: 140 miles)

Today is a ride or rest day in Cuenca. You can explore the town's historic streets and hanging houses, or follow an optional suggested route to the Ciudad Encantada ("Enchanted City"). Dating back 90 million years, this natural wonderland features extraordinary limestone rock formations sculpted by water and wind into natural arches, stone mushrooms, and towers.

Day 8: 235 miles

The journey north-east grows increasingly dramatic as you ride through the quiet, forested wilderness of the El Hosquillo Nature Reserve. The roads twist continuously as you cross into Aragon and the rugged Gudar-Javalambre mountains. Your destination is Alcañiz, located just five miles from the MotorLand Aragón racing circuit. Perched proudly on a hilltop overlooking the town and surrounding countryside, your third Parador hotel is a majestic 12th-century castle built by the Knights Templar.

Day 9: 220 miles

Continuing north, the terrain rises dramatically as you enter the Catalan Pyrenees. Stretching over 300 miles from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, this wild mountain chain forms one of Europe’s great natural boundaries. Climbing through sweeping alpine valleys, your hotel is located in the mountain town of Vielha, set in the heart of the Aran Valley and surrounded by high Pyrenean peaks.

Day 10: Ride or Rest Day (Optional Route: 110 miles)

Today is a ride or rest day in the High Pyrenees. You can relax at the hotel and explore Vielha, or follow a suggested circular ride-out heading south into the Catalan mountains. Taking in three distinct natural parks, the route features quiet tarmac, alpine meadows, deep pine forests, and pristine glacial lakes.

Day 11: 145 miles

Today delivers an absolute showcase of high-mountain pass riding as you cross into France to tackle iconic alpine climbs made famous by the Tour de France. Your route climbs over the formidable Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin, the legendary Col du Tourmalet (reaching over 2,100 metres), and the dramatic Col d'Aubisque. Your overnight stop is a charming hotel nestled at the edge of the Aspe and Ossau valleys in the Béarn region. Featuring a swimming pool, sauna, and hot tub, it is an ideal spot to unwind after a classic day in the mountains.

Day 12: 100 miles

Although the shortest riding day of the tour, the roads remain exceptionally dramatic as you climb the wild Puerto de Larrau pass to cross back into Spain. Descending into Navarra, you head for the historic city of Pamplona. Famous worldwide for its annual Running of the Bulls, the city centres on the bustling Plaza del Castillo. Located adjacent to the tranquil Taconera Park gardens, your modern 4-star hotel sits right on the edge of the historic old quarter.

Day 13: 199 miles

Your final riding day leads through the green, rolling hills of Navarra and the Basque Country towards Cantabria. Following scenic back roads and sweeping valleys, you make your way back down to the port of Santander for your afternoon Brittany Ferries crossing back to the UK.

Day 14: Arrival in Plymouth

Relax on board overnight as you cross the Bay of Biscay, arriving back at Plymouth Ferry Port for your onward journey home.

INSURANCE
If you have not already secured adequate travel insurance, we strongly recommend doing so as soon as possible.

Travel insurance is vital not only for your time on tour, but also to protect you beforehand against unforeseen circumstances such as personal or family illness, or tour cancellation.

MOTORCYCLE HIRE

We do not hire bikes directly but if you wish to take any of our self guided tours and require motorcycle hire click HERE for detail of companies we recommend.